Hand tool for upholstery work



HAND TOOL FOR UPHOLSTERY WORK Filed Jan. 11, 1941 22 I 20 I I 2/ Ennentor Ge rge. M Ma a/7170 Patented May 5, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

My invention relates to a hand tool for use particularly in contacting and forcing the loose or flap portions of furniture slip covers in place upon the furniture as for forcing the loose sides of a seat slip cover down between the sides and back of a chair or the like. The tool is easy to use and provides for placing slip covers over furniture in a neat and tailored manner. The blade member of the tool is curved from its handle portion, the curvature gradually decreas- 3 ing towards the end of the blade, which provides for better and easier working of the tool in the manner contemplated. Thus due to such reduced curvature the blade can be more easily withdrawn after the flap of the cover is in place. The usual methods, such as using the hand to push the slip cover ends between the sides of the cushions and the arm of a chair, are not satisfactory 0s usually the slip cover follows the hand out at least part of the way and results in an untidy loose or crimpled appearance which is an eyesore to the tidy housewife.

The object of my device is to secure a smooth neat covering that eliminates wrinkles and an uneven lumpy slipshod appearance and gives a well tailored workmanlike finish to the furniture.

The following specification and its accompanying drawing fully describe the invention, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view of a chair showing a slip cover being secured over the cushion with the help of the tool, diagrams A and B further illustrating the method for forcing the slip cover in place or proper position.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the device.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a more simple or modified form of the device.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the form shown in Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawing, the tool comprises a curved blade ll] of a fiat semi-rigid construction, and preferably of a light weight material, and terminates in an enlarged head portion H at its outer end, said head having a rounded edge contour l2.

The opposite end of the curved blade terminates in a straight flat handle l3 with a tapered edge contour and rounded end I4.

The curvature of the blade [0 starts adjacent the handle l3 and gradually decreases until the outer end adjacent the enlarged portion II is nearly straight, the straight portion enabling power to be applied to the flap portion being pushed down in place. And also for easy removal after the flap portion is pushed down in place. If the-curved portion did not decrease the tool would be hard to use in the particular manner contemplated, as upon withdrawal it would tend to pull the flaps with it.

A plastic handle 15 which follows the contour of the fiat straight handle l3 may be secured thereto on its underside by rivets It.

In the use of the tool, the head I I of the blade H) is inserted in the slip cover flap 23 and gently pushed downward as illustrated in Fig. 1 and diagrams A and B, until the flap 23 is in place whereupon the blade is removed leaving the slip 23 in proper position. The tool when used in this manner completely around the seat 24 ensures a smooth neat covering.

With this adjusting tool it is a simple and easy matter to adjust the slip cover, leaving no wrinkles or slack, but a smooth surface. The curvature of the tool is important in that it aids in pushing back the slack, and the blunt nose of the tool will prevent tearing the slip material while in the act of forcing the ends of the slip down between the back and sides of the sofa or chair.

I claim:

1. A hand tool for use in inserting a loose flap portion of a slip cover between contiguous parts of upholstered furniture, comprising a substantially fiat handle portion, a flat blade portion of substantially uniform cross-section secured in offset relation to said handle portion and formed on an arc of decreasing curvature merging into a straight end having side flanges forming an enlarged head portion.

2. A hand tool for use in inserting loose flap portions between contiguous parts of upholstered furniture, comprising a substantially straight handle portion, a flat blade portion of relatively 'ght weight construction secured in offset relation to the said handle portion and formed on an arc of decreasing curvature merging into a straight flat end portion, said end portion being extended laterally to form an enlarged rounded material engaging head on said blade.

GEORGE M. WIT'I'ENBURG. 

